FAA Implements Flight Delays at New York and Philadelphia Airports Due to Weather and Staffing Issues

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced on Monday that it is slowing flights into three major New York City airports and Philadelphia International Airport due to severe weather conditions and staffing shortages. The affected airports include John F. Kennedy International Airport, LaGuardia Airport, and Newark Liberty International Airport.

According to the FAA, staffing issues at the New York Air Route Traffic Control Center have led to significant disruptions, with FlightAware reporting that between 20% and 30% of flights at these airports have been canceled. Ground delays are currently averaging between 71 and 149 minutes.

The FAA is grappling with a persistent shortage of air traffic control staff, with only 57% of the targeted number of certified controllers at the New York Area Terminal Radar Approach Control. This shortage has resulted in mandatory overtime and extended workweeks for existing controllers.

In response to ongoing staffing deficiencies, the FAA has extended flight limits at Newark through the summer of 2027 and at JFK and LaGuardia through late October 2028. Additionally, the agency has extended relief from minimum flight requirements at these airports through late 2027, allowing airlines to operate 10% fewer flights without losing their takeoff and landing slots.

The FAA indicated that improvements in staffing at Newark are unlikely before October 2027, following significant flight cuts imposed in May 2025 due to disruptions at the airport.